A year ago our sweetest Baloo died. I found her while volunteering at PAWS in the cat care room. Each time I was there I would visit the dogs before I left to say hi, give them some company. Baloo was there one day, shaking and sad in her big cage, her brown rottweiler eyes gazing out at me. Her neck was bare of fur, from abuse suffered in her 9 months of life. Despite the abuse, however, she had a loving heart and trusting soul.

She joined our family two days later, and was an amazing pet. She helped me in my work as a nanny, she loved the children and was far more patient with them than I ever was. Her greatest joy was being around children and protecting them. She was known as the "lifeguard" at Marymoor dog park, her herding instincts kicking in whenever she saw a child in the water, she'd gently get them out, making it clear that she didn't think it a good idea at all for children to be in water.

She was an ambassador for the rottweiler race, teaching people what rottweilers are really all about - loyalty, hard work, joy and love. Baloo was also a volunteer for PAWS, as we fostered many families of cats and kittens. She introduced the mother cats to the love a friendly dog can provide, and was chewed, climbed and batted by many a wild little kitten. She chose two of the kittens to join our pack, and they are still with us.

Baloo is remembered to this day by the many children's hearts she touched, as well as the many family members who will miss her forever. She passed on due to a sudden onslaught of a cancer, patient and loving to the end. Sweet Baloo, we miss you.